Fake CID officer who robbed 25 men nabbed in Athurugiriya

The main suspect, along with another accomplice, had waylaid and robbed young men under the pretext of conducting searches on suspicion 

By Buddhika Kumarasiri  

A former police officer who had posed as a senior CID officer and allegedly robbed more than 25 young men of their cash and valuables, along with two accomplices, was arrested yesterday by the Athurugiriya Police.   

Police also seized the motorcar used by the suspects to travel across different parts of the country to carry out robberies.   

Investigations revealed that the main suspect, along with another accomplice, had waylaid and robbed young men under the pretext of conducting searches on suspicion.   

They were arrested following investigations into a complaint regarding the robbery of a gold chain valued at Rs. 210,000 from a young man in Athurugiriya. CCTV footage from the scene helped police identify the suspects.  

During interrogation, the suspects admitted to having committed similar robberies in several other areas across the country. Further investigations revealed that the main suspect was a 34-year-old former Police Constable attached to the Gampaha Police, while the others were a driver from Radawana and a 37-year-old mercantile executive from Obeysekarapura, who owned the vehicle used in the crimes.   

Police said the suspects would be produced before the Homagama Magistrate’s Court and detained for further questioning.   

The raid and investigations were conducted under the direction of OIC Athurugiriya Police CI Saradha Fernando, OIC Crime Investigation Branch IP Asanka Premalal, Sergeants 36709 Sukumaran, 40793 Thennakoon, 67354 Maduranga, 2657 Iresha, and PCs 40892 Kithsiri, 84898 Harsha, and 98694 Widuranga.